Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“What was this?” my father inquires after draining the cup.
His voice is steady and strong. He sits up and tosses the covers aside. He throws his legs over the side of the bed and stands to his feet.
“Blaise’s venom is in my blood from an injury she healed. It allowed me to heal you.”
“That beast saved you and then me?”
“She isn’t a beast. Never mind that. Someone has been poisoning you. You should have healed upon arriving home. Who has been caring for you?”
“Coralo and her handmaiden. Her mother has been working the potions,” he replies.
“With dark magic?” I lift a brow.
He folds his arms over his chest. A dark look comes over his face. I can see the wheels turning.
“Now that you speak of it. My powers were very low, but something did feel off. As if my spirit was fighting against something whenever it tried to build up,” he muses.
I stand and mirror his stance. It’s time we talk about what’s been bothering me all along. There’s no way Coralo should have been named as my match.
“Father, do you honestly believe she was chosen for me?”
He narrows his eyes. Again, he falls into deep thought. I know he has to see what I do.
“I’ve questioned it. However, it came from the oracles. If what you’re implying is true, that means someone has tainted the system. An oracle can’t lie,” he says.
“They can’t lie, but they can reveal things that have been altered.”
My thoughts start to race. Blaise was able to alter my blood, allowing me to save my father. Saving him from something that had altered his blood. That’s the same kind of shift it would take to alter an oracle’s vision.
“If someone tampered with Coralo’s essence during the soul match ceremony, she would’ve had the spirit to be named my soul match.”
“Many are called, few are chosen. Of all the women called to the ceremony, she would’ve had to have some powerful blood and power to pull that off,” my father replies.
“Her mother is an elder. It’s not a secret how much Helenier has resented her husband for diluting her blood. She has looked at Coralo with disapproval since she was a child,” I point out.
“We have no proof and this would cause great trouble if we make accusations. Even if they were able to fool one oracle with a tainted essence, it’s the job of the second seat to confirm the connection.
“Someone should have spoken up. We bring this to light; it’ll damn more than Helenier and Coralo.”
“Which is how they think they will get away with this. We can’t challenge them without proof,” I snarl.
We both freeze as footsteps outside of my father’s room grab our attention. We whip our heads in the direction of the door. I narrow my eyes as Helenier and Coralo enter.
They both stumble to a stop when they find my father standing strong. The blood drains from Coralo’s face and Helenier’s expression hardens. I glare at the two but hold my tongue.
I don’t want them to know we’re onto them. We have to find out a way to get proof. My mind goes to Blaise. I need to get back to her as soon as I can. This is going to keep me from doing that.
“My king,” they say in unison and bow.
“It’s wonderful to see you well,” Helenier says.
Coralo comes to my side and places a hand on my chest. I cringe but stay still. If I want information, I’ll have to play nice for now.
“This is amazing. Everything has worked itself out. We can still move the wedding up to lift the spirits of the people. They have been so distraught over your absence and your father’s illness.”
“I don’t believe moving the wedding up will serve to do much but distract from the king’s improved health.”
“Argon is right. There’s no need to rush things. There is much else to be addressed.”
“Yes, like that beast. She needs to be dealt with,” Helenier says.
I grind my teeth to suppress the growl that rises in my belly. It doesn’t sit well with me that they keep bringing her up. There’s a nagging in the back of my mind that tells me to be guarded.
“That reminds me. Father, how did you know about that realm? What took you there?”
My father furrows his brows. A blank expression covers his features. My hackles rise. Something is very off.
“I can’t remember. I know I was on a quest for something. After… it was after…”
“You should rest, my king. You’ve been through a great ordeal. I’ll have the kitchen bring you some broth and that brew you like,” Helenier rushes to say.
“No, thank you,” my father and I say in unison.
“Well, I say we send our best warriors there to avenge our king,” Coralo pushes.
“We will do no such thing. That portal has been sealed. I made sure of it when I stepped back through.”